Matthew 2 Journaling

Matthew 2 Journaling on November 30, 2015

The truth is, I tried to write this summary yesterday and have tried since five this morning and now it is ten-thirty a.m., and I am nowhere near really starting this. I keep getting sidetracked. (Sigh.)

This lack of self-control, and getting side-tracked rather than focusing my thoughts on Him continually, is what gets me into trouble. It's my thorn. This is not an excuse, but is an acknowledgement of my temptation and sin. It's my pitfall.

I think part of the reason why I am getting sidetracked now is because... Hah! I forget. I got sidetracked and took a sip of my beverage and forgot what I was going to say. Case and point I guess.

Can I really, truly, totally commit to 1,189 chapters and this Savoring the Bible chapter summary project now, over the next twelve years or so, and then at least two more times?

Matthew 1's chapter summary was too simple for my taste. I want more. I want to go deeper. So, I shall. I will forget the quantity of chapter summaries I can complete, but will look at the deepness and quality instead.

The reason why I chose the book of Matthew is because it's the time of Advent and I thought about this was befitting.

I even ordered some business cards with the information that pertains to this project in an effort to keep myself honest and push myself to do this Savoring the Bible Chapter Summary Project and complete it.

I have read Matthew 2 twice now and listened to an audio recording of it as well and read it at the same time so I could see it and hear it. I did this with the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). I have a copy of it on my tablet and the hardbound version of it as well. I'm using mainly my digital and e-book.copy on my tablet, I will also use my hardbound copy as well to help me dig deeper.

Matthew 2 Journaling on December 02, 2015

I have decided thorough is the only way I want to be as I do each chapter summary and analysis. I would much rather take my time, and get as much as possible out of and from the text, than rush or give it minimal effort. I want maximum results, where I get as much as I possibly can out of the text, which requires maximum effort. Therefore, each chapter summary and analysis will take time.

I want to give God and His Word my absolute best. They deserve no less.

I, also, want to thoroughly enjoy both the Lord and His Word. The only way to do that, and the previous paragraph, is to give my time and my attention to them.
Therefore, I realize this chapter analysis and chapter summary project will take a great deal longer than initially expected.

Matthew 2 Journaling on December 03, 2015

Yesterday, there was an unconfirmed terror attack in SoCal. It was in San Bernardino, California.

Last week, there was an attack from a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Just before that were the Paris Attacks.

Yesterday, a Russian "spy" was beheaded by ISIS.

Several police have been wounded and killed as well.

The world is in a desperate place. (And so is my heart.)

And politicians are making these things about their own agendas, rather than bringing truth to the situations. The truth is we are a fallen world and we fallen people do fallen things.

HOW do you pray in the middle of all of this?

I have started to realize something as a prayer warrior. If I am not in the Bible, in the Word of God, my prayers are not effective.

I am desperate. This world needs prayer like no other time in my life of a little more than four decades. I am desperate to make sure my prayers are as effective as possible. Hence, I am going to dive even more into the Word and savor the Bible in a whole new way. I am desperate. And so is the world.

This makes the 1,189 Chapter Summary and Analysis Project all the more critical.

Here is what I started to write:

Chapter Summary Bible Study of Matthew 2, #2 of 1,189
Please read Matthew 2 in your favorite version of the Bible before you read this summary. Or, here is a link:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%202&version=HCSB;NLT;EXB
My first attempt with writing/journaling this chapter summary:
Chapter: Matthew 2
Chapter Summary #2 of 1,189
Date: Sunday, November 29, 2015
1 Caption: The first year of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
2 Contents: Every single verse is jammed pack with information in this chapter.
Jesus was born around 5 BC. His family moved to Nazereth around 6 BC.
3A Chief people:
Who is Matthew?
Who is King Herod?
Who were the wise men?
3B Places:
Where was Bethlehem of Judea in modern times?
Jerusalem
Nazereth
6 Challenges: Every single verse is jammed pack with information in this chapter. I could spend weeks, maybe months on this chapter alone.
Where was Bethlehem of Judea in modern times?
7 Cross-references: These are plentiful for this chapter for all of the prophecies fulfilled from the Old Testament which point to the Messiah.
(Original source of the The Chapter Bible Study Form or Template:  "Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word" by Rick Warren.)
Note: No. This is too basic for me and doesn't have enough questions. I'm going to write a new template and will try this again.
Chapter Summary Analysis Bible Study of Matthew 2, #2 of 1,189
Here is my second attempt with writing and journaling this chapter summary:
Please read Matthew 2 in your favorite version of the Bible before you read this summary. Or, here is a link:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%202&version=HCSB;NLT;EXB
Note: My main Bible translation or version is the HCSB. It is the one I read from and study first.
Another Note: I will try try to ask several questions of the text, even if I already know the answer. I know the very act of asking the question inspires me, gets me to think, and opens the door to more questions and observations.
Chapter: Matthew 2
Chapter Summary #2 of 1,189
Date: Sunday, November 29, 2015
Initial thoughts: Every single verse is jammed pack with information in this chapter. I could spend weeks, maybe months on this chapter alone. Consequently, I'm going to stop with the thinking of how many chapters I can do per week and go for quality instead, not quantity.
1 Caption: The first year of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
2 Contents and paraphrase:
One word summary: Danger. First. Year. (Could be each of those.)
Two word summary: First year. Year One. Dangerous year. (Could be each of those.)
Three word summary: Dangerous first year.
One sentence summary: The first year or so of the life of Jesus was a dangerous one as his parents had to run for their lives in an effort to protect this precious baby boy.
I normally wouldn't paraphrase every verse in a chapter (I imagine), but every verse has important information in it. Therefore, I want to make sure to paraphrase each verse in order to help me thing things all the way through and fully grasp what is said.
Matthew 2:1-12: The Wise Men
Matthew 2:1 was the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. King Herod was on the throne at this time. Unexpectedly, wise men arrived in Jerusalem from the east.
It says the wise men. It doesn't say the Hebrew wise men. Not does it say the Gentile wise men. Just the wise men.
Matthew 2:2 The wise men want to know where the King of the Jews is and they know He was born. They followed the star of the Messiah and wanted to worship the King.
Matthew 2:3 King Herod was disturbed deeply when he heard what the wise men said in verse 2. And so was ALL of Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:4 Herod met with ALL of his scribes and chief priests and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
Matthew 2:5 They answered Her or and explained how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. After all, that is what the prophet said and was quoted in Matthew 2:6.
Verse 6 is a fulfillment of Micah 5:2.
Matthew 2:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Micah 5:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
A Journaling Side-Note: At this point, after how this the third day I am working on a chapter summary and analysis of Matthew 2, I think finishing all 1,188 chapter summaries and analyses I have to write still may take more than twelve years. And I am okay with that as long as I am thorough and make sure to include all of the Bible study, Bible reading, and sermon notes I make from here in these summaries. I will add the notes to past, present, and future blog posts. I want each summary to become as informational, as reflective, as thorough as possible. -- 12/01/2015
Another Note: Just for a point of reference, I'm going to start adding the date of when I write this material.
Matthew 2:7 When Herod heard their response in verse 6, he summoned the wise men in secret. He wanted to know the precise moment the star from the east became visible.
Matthew 2:8 Herod told the wise men to head to Bethlehem, to search for the Child King, and return to him once they found Him so he could find out where to go so he could worship the boy.
Matthew 2:9 The wise men left Herod to head to Bethlehem and as they walked, the star appeared once again. It led them along the way and then stopped above the King.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were beyond joyful.
Matthew 2:11 The wise men entered the house, observed how the Child was with His mother (Mary), fell on their knees and worshipped Him, and opened the treasures they brought and presented them to Him of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:12 The wise men were warned in a dream about Herod's intent and they returned home to their country via a different route.
Matthew 2:13-??? Moving to Egypt
Matthew 2:13 After the wise men left, an Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Joseph was told to stay there by the angel because Herod wants Jesus killed.
Matthew 2:14 Joseph woke and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt late in the night.
Matthew 2:15 He stayed in Egypt until after King Herod died. Then, what God said through the prophet was fulfilled, I called my Son out of Egypt.
3 Who?
Who is Matthew?
Jesus. King Herod. Wise men. King of the Jews.
Who was King Herod?
Who were the wise men?
Chief priests. Scribes. Messiah. Mary. Joseph. Angel of the Lord.
4 What?
What is the significance of the title of Jesus, "King of Jews?"
Star in the east.
Verse 3 has me perplexed. Why would ALL of Jerusalem be deeply troubled? Is it the same reason why Herod was? Also, why was Herod troubled?
All--meaning without exception. All of Jerusalem in verse 3.
What are gold, frankincense, and myrrh for and what do they represent? Purpose?
Dream of wise men.
What country are the wise men from?
What route did the wise men take from Bethlehem to their home country?
What was it like for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus--each-- to have this happen? What was each of their experiences?
Dream of Joseph.
5 Where?
Bethlehem. From the east. Jerusalem.
Where exactly was "from the east?"
Where is Bethlehem Ephrathah? (Micah 5:2)
Where did the wise men come from?
Egypt.
Where in Egypt did Joseph take his wife and child?
6 When?
When was Jesus born?
When did the star appear?
When did the wise men ask King Herod when we he King of Jews was born?
When did the wise men appear before the King?
7 Why?
Why was it mentioned that the wise men appearing in Jerusalem was not expected?
Why did the wise men arrive unexpectedly?
Why did He rod summon the wise men secretly?
8 How?
How many wise men were there?
How many chief priests and scribes did Herod meet with?
How did the star move around and point the way to the King?
How old was Jesus when the wise men came to Him and presented him the three gifts?
9 Choice verse:
10 Crucial words:
11  Challenges:
12 Cross-references:
13 Christ seen:
14 Central lesson:
Verse 2: How have I worshipped my King? Today? Turn every moment an act of worshipping the King of the Jews and my King. My majestic, eternal, all-powerful, unconditional loving King, the King of Glory.
Verse 4: Seek the answers of God, not man. How many times do we turn to the people and things of this world for answers rather than to God? Shouldn't He be who and where we turn first and foremost? Isn't this where and when we go wrong--when we don't turn to God and His Word for answers first and foremost?
Verse 11: When was the last time I fell on my knees to humble myself and worship my King?
Verse 14: Every time Joseph was told to do something by the Lord, he did it immediately and without question. He was obedient even when it did not make sense. I can learn to do the same and actually do the same.
15 Conclusion:
Another Round of Questions:
///// What to Look for in a Chapter Analysis Study Template
Listed here in brief form are 30 items to look for in your observation part of the Chapter Analysis Method of Bible study:
Ask the six vital observation questions: What? Who? Where? When? Why? How?
Who and verse 1: Matthew calls Jesus Christ the Messiah just "Jesus." (Interesting. Why?)
Who wrote this passage?
What is the message of this passage?
When was it written?
Where was it written?
Why was it written? What was the purpose?
How can I apply the message to my life?
Look for key words.
Look for repeated words and phrases.
Look for questions being asked.
Look for answers being given.
Look for commands.
Look for warnings.
Look for comparisons - things that are alike.
Look for contrasts - things that are different.
Look for illustrations.
Look for causes and effects and reasons for doing things.
Look for promises and their conditions for fulfillment.
Look for progression from the general to the specific.
Look for progression from the specific to the general.
Look for steps of progression in a narrative or biography.
Look for lists of things.
Look for results.
Look for advice, admonitions, and attitudes.
Look for the tone of the passage - emotional atmosphere.
Look for connectives, articles, and prepositions.
Look for explanations.
Look for Old Testament quotes in the New Testament.
Look for the literary form.
Look for paradoxes.
Look for emphasis through the use of space - proportion.
Look for planned exaggerations or hyperboles.
Look at the grammatical construction of each sentence.
Look for the use of the current events of the times.
Look for the force of the verbs.
Look for anything unusual.
What do you think is the key message of this chapter?
What did you learn from this chapter?
Which point in this chapter spoke to you the most?
Why do you think God included this chapter in the Bible? What's the point?
Do any of these truths written thousands of years ago apply today? If so, which ones? How do they apply?
Are there truths in this chapter that contradict the ideas we hear in the world? If so, what are they?
Is there something in this chapter that surprised you? If so, how were you surprised?
Are there any verses in this chapter that confuse you or that seem to contradict other parts of the Bible?
In view of what we have read, what changes do you think God would want you to make in your attitude, words, or actions?
(Original source of the The Chapter Bible Study Form or Template and The Chapter Analysis Method:  "Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word" by Rick Warren.)